UBER LOCAL CAB: Two new cities announced and two existing regions expand offering
Updated: May 5, 2022
Uber has today announced the launch of two new ‘Local Cab’ locations and the expansion of the offering in a further two regions within the UK.
The two new locations include Tamworth and Oswestry, and additional operators join the service in the cities of Oxford and Manchester. The latter takes the total number of operators in Greater Manchester offering rides via Local Cab up to 11.
Local Cab means anyone opening the Uber app in the town can select the Local Cab option, alongside regular Uber-operated options UberX and UberXL.
Local Cab trips will be passed to Oswestry operator Oswestry Cars and Tamworth’s Acorn Taxis to fulfil, and all subsequent support will be provided by them.
The arrival of Uber’s new Local Cab product follows a series of previous launches in towns and cities across the UK, including in nearby Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
Her Ride is the latest operator to be able to fulfil Local Cab trips in Oxford, following on from a previous launch with 001 Taxis in June 2021. Intime Taxis, based in Levenshulme, is the latest operator to be able to fulfil Local Cab trips in the city of Manchester.
Uber’s app will integrate with Autocab’s iGo network, which has the potential to connect passengers with 80,000 private hire and taxi drivers in the UK. Local Cab has already launched in over 40 towns and cities across the UK since its pilot in May 2021.
Matt Young, Director at Oswestry Cars, said: “We look forward to making Local Cab available to the people of Oswestry. We feel that now, more than ever, a product like Local Cab is needed – with demand for taxis continuing to rise and passengers in need of more options.
“We’re making it quicker and easier for people to get around Oswestry, connecting more passengers with taxi drivers via the Uber app. The partnership is also enabling us to provide further job opportunities to our drivers.”
Ghazala Khan, Director at Her Ride, said: “Local Cab is a win-win for both our drivers and passengers. Being able to book trips with local operators via the Uber app will enable passengers to get from A to B quicker and easier, and drivers will gain access to new job opportunities – which will no doubt be welcomed with open arms!”
Andrew Brem, General Manager at Uber UK, said: “Oswestry will be among the first towns in England where riders can access both UberX and Local Cab in the same app. This will help maximise earnings opportunities for drivers while giving passengers in Oswestry more choice, meaning that everyone will benefit. We’re looking forward to launching Local Cab in more UK towns and cities soon."
Berm added: “We were thrilled to launch Local Cab in Manchester earlier this year – getting further operators on board in the city is the natural next step. This will help to maximise earnings opportunities for more drivers and provide passengers living across the city with greater choice when booking a ride."
